(Newser)
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In the latest unkind cut in parenting battles, startling Wisconsin health ads are warning moms and dads that sleeping with their babies is the same as leaving a butcher knife next to them. The Milwaukee horror campaign against family "co-sleeping" reveals dozing babes cuddled next to knives almost as big as they are. "Is it shocking?" asked city Health Commissioner Bevan Baker. "Yes, but what is even more shocking is that 30 developed and underdeveloped countries have better" infant death rates than Milwaukee. A 7-week-old baby died the day the campaign was launched, the ninth infant to die in the city while sleeping with a parent in a year, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

But angry campaign critics say sleeping together in a family bed is a natural situation practiced throughout the world, including in nations with lower infant death rates, and is generally safe, unless a parent is drunk or on drugs. The mayor, "unable to impact a failing school system or fix high unemployment, latched on to the first headline-grabbing distraction that came along," carped the Third Coast Digest. The Washington Postrefers to the ads as "jaw-dropping," and points to popular baby expert William Sears, who offers tips for safe co-sleeping on his web site. "It doesn't mention butcher knives," notes the Post.

i can't wait to have kids. i intend to breastfeed, etc. but co-sleeping scares me. i know people have done it since the beginning of time. but i sleep so heavily that i would be scared i'd roll on the baby and not wake up. my SIL put the babies in a bassinet right next to the bed, so she could nurse them easily, but still sleep. that sounds like a good idea to me. and once they get older? i want my sex life to stay active, thanks.

Amarra

Nov 23, 2011 11:06 AM CST

I co-slept with each of my girls for the first couple months of their lives. Never once was there a moment that caused any concern. Every time they moved in their sleep, or I moved in mine, I was instinctively awake to make sure they were safe. In fact, when I started it with my first baby, it was because her cradle had collapsed and almost smothered her. More danger to my children outside my bed than in it.

Cinnamon

Nov 23, 2011 9:15 AM CST

My family has always co-slept. That's just the way it is. All of my cousins slept in their parents' bed, and so did I. We've never (in the 100 odd people in the family) even had a scare about someone rolling over on the baby. The cousins who have the most little kids (3 under 5) got a bigger bed so they could all sleep together. It's natural. The best way to do it is to put the baby between the mom and a wall. That's what co-sleeping experts say, too. Babies have slept with their mothers for millions of years. Being aware of your infant comes with the mothery changes that happen to a woman who's just given birth, but sleeping with a little baby is harder than with a 2yo. Sleeping with a new baby is like sleeping with a washing machine.